[For Seniors] Small craft ideas: for yourself and as gifts!
Many people enjoy making small items like sewing, knitting, and felt crafts, don’t they?
Some people find joy in the act of making itself, while others look forward to taking the finished piece home—everyone has their own purpose when creating.
In this article, we’ll introduce small craft ideas for older adults!
Make cute little items to use for yourself, or give them as gifts—they’re sure to be appreciated.
Please consider using these ideas for recreation at senior day services and other elder care facilities as well.
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- [For Seniors] Practical Crafts to Make in Day-Service Recreation: Idea Roundup
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- [For Seniors] Easy Felt Craft: Warm and Cozy Projects
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- Take-Home Craft Ideas for Winter: Perfect for Day Services for Seniors
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- [Day Service] Spring Take-Home Crafts: Ideas to Warmly Brighten Your Room
[For Seniors] Small Craft Ideas: For Yourself & As Gifts! (211–220)
Camellia brooch made of felt
The blooming season for camellias varies by type, but it runs from late November to early April.
They often bloom from February to April in particular, so they’re considered flowers that herald spring.
Let’s try making a seasonal camellia out of felt.
Cut six circles from felt and apply double-sided tape slightly offset from the center.
Fold each felt circle in half where you applied the tape.
Using the stamen you made as the center, wrap the six folded felt pieces around it.
Add leaves to finish the flower.
Attach a safety pin using double-sided tape and felt to complete it.
This is a project that seniors who enjoy sewing are likely to appreciate, even in facilities where using needles is difficult.
Felt bag
Let me introduce a felt bag that’s perfect for a quick outing.
Amazingly, the only material you need is a single sheet of felt measuring 70 cm by 60 cm.
Fold the felt in half, then cut out the main body of the bag along with six long, narrow rectangles.
It’s easier if you prepare a pattern in advance before working with the felt.
Tie the slits you make in the bag body, and braid the long, narrow pieces you cut.
Finish by tying the braided felt to the bag body.
It’s such a wonderful piece that you’ll find yourself wondering, “Did we really not use a needle?” While enjoying the process, let’s encourage older adults to make plenty of use of their fine motor skills.
Felt coaster
Let’s try making coasters out of felt that you can use during snack time at senior facilities or day service centers! If you cut the felt into your favorite shapes—like circles or squares—and combine them with other pieces of felt, you’ll end up with stylish coasters.
Even without a sewing machine, you can easily attach the parts using a glue gun or fabric glue.
You can mix different colors of felt to make colorful coasters, or keep the palette limited for a chic finish.
They also make great gifts, so give it a try!
[For Seniors] Small Craft Ideas: For Yourself & As Gifts! (221–230)
bracelet
Wearing a bracelet yourself is lovely, and it would make a delightful gift, too.
This time, let’s make a bracelet out of straws.
With just straws and tape, you can create a stylish bracelet.
Some of you might be surprised that straws can be used this way.
All you do is weave the straws, and it’s done.
It’s also recommended for seniors as a fine-motor rehabilitation activity.
Plus, simply changing the patterns and colors of the straws will give you a vibrant variety of bracelets.
hair tie
Hair ties are a groundbreaking item that make your hair look stylish, aren’t they? This time, let’s make a hair tie using a straw.
The materials you’ll need are a straw, elastic, yarn, a tapestry needle, and so on.
A handmade hair tie is one of a kind in the world, so it’s sure to come in handy.
You can easily make one just by wrapping yarn around the straw.
It also makes a great gift for someone special.
There are many kinds of yarn, so choose your favorite color.
Just putting on a stylish hair tie is enough to lift your mood.
ball ornament
Here’s an introduction to making a cute spherical ornament out of felt.
First, create a circular template and use it to cut out circles from felt.
Cut five pieces each in two colors, such as red and green, then cut them in half and glue them together with a hot glue gun.
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the glue gun gets very hot.
After making two half-spheres, attach a bell with a thread to the bottom, and a ribbon with a pearl bead to the top.
That’s it! Simply by changing the colors, you can create ornaments with either a Western or Japanese feel—aren’t they lovely?
poinsettia
Why not try making a poinsettia using felt, which you can easily find at 100-yen shops? Cut the pattern slightly larger, layer it over the felt, and cut the felt together with the pattern—this makes it easier to cut.
Then use wood glue to create fold lines.
Make two red pieces and one green piece, stack them, punch a hole in the center, and thread through a bundle of three cotton swabs wrapped together with floral tape to finish.
You can display it in your entryway, wear it as a corsage on your chest, or attach it to a bag for a cute touch.